Method and apparatus for measuring distance

ABSTRACT

A device ( 200 ) measures distance using a wireless signal that comprises two simultaneously transmitted components. Each of the two components comprises a respective repeated code, the two codes having different durations. On receipt of the signal, the propagation distance is calculated separately for each code and compared ( 280 ). The calculated distance is considered to be valid only if the two calculations yield the same result. Preferably the durations of the two codes are proportional to numbers having a relative prime relationship. The signal is generated and transmitted by the same device ( 200 ) that performs the distance calculation, with the signal being retransmitted back to the device by a remote device ( 100 ), or may be generated and transmitted by the remote device ( 100 ).

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in themeasurement of distance.

Wireless devices which measure their proximity to another device, ortheir absolute position, are becoming more widespread. They areincreasingly being used in applications where security is an issue. Oneexample is a child locator device which enables a parent to keep trackof the whereabouts of their child. A second example is a passive keylessentry system for vehicles, in which the proximity of the owner with akey fob in his pocket is sufficient to trigger the vehicle to unlock itsdoors. A third example is a wireless tag that can be attached to anobject to monitor its whereabouts and to detect unauthorised movement.In these examples, the system must be robust against attack, in the caseof the first example, from a child abductor, or indeed an ingeniouschild who doesn't wish to be tracked, and in the case of the otherexamples, a thief.

One technology that can be used for proximity detection over a localarea is described in “Designing a positioning system for finding thingsand people indoors”, J. Werb and C. Lanzl, IEEE Spectrum, September1998. In this article Werb at al describe a system in which a signal issent from a master unit to a tag being carried on the person beingtracked. The tag receives the signal and simply re-transmits the signalon a different frequency without processing it. The master unit measuresthe time-of-arrival of the returning signal, compares it with the timeat which it transmitted the signal to the tag and calculates the rangeto the tag.

Such a known technology is open to attack by a third party or by one ofthe parties involved in the proximity measurement who wishes to lieabout their whereabouts. The attack can comprise inserting an additionaldelay so that an artificially long time-of-arrival is measured andconsequently the tag appears to be further away from the master unitthan it actually is. Adding such a delay might be a relatively simpleprocedure: for example, in a system with a screw-in antenna, an extradelay element such as an off-the-shelf microwave filter could be screwedin between the antenna and the device. The tag itself will introducesome delay, since it cannot instantaneously re-transmit the signal. Thisinherent delay can be calibrated out at the factory during manufacture.

Other known technologies use a signal generated and transmitted from thetag, rather than using the tag as a transponder, although thetransmission from the tag may be initiated by receipt of a signal sentfrom the master unit. Such systems are also vulnerable to attack byinsertion of additional delay.

An attack may also result in the tag appearing to be closer to themaster unit than it actually is. This is because, in order to permit asimple detection circuit, the signal used for making the rangemeasurement typically comprises a repeated code sequence. As a resultthere is an ambiguity in the time-of-arrival equal to multiples of theduration of the code, and consequently an ambiguity in the measuredrange. So, for example, a code sequence having a duration of 10 μsresults in an ambiguity in the time-of-arrival equal to n×10 μs, where nis any integer including zero. Consequently there is an ambiguity in themeasured range of n×3 km, so the master unit cannot differentiatebetween a tag at, say, 10 m and 3010 m. Therefore a tag at a distance of3010 m may appear to be 10 m from the master unit. Of course a signalreceived over a distance of 3010 km would be attenuated compared with asignal received over 10 m, but an attacker may readily compensate forthis attenuation by boosting the signal level.

The attack by insertion of additional delay is illustrated by the timingdiagram in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 a) illustrates the signal being transmittedfrom a master unit at time t₀. The signal is a Direct-SequenceSpread-Spectrum (DSSS) signal comprising a repeated spreading code 10which begins with binary chips ‘10011’ and has a duration t_(p). FIG. 1b) illustrates the signal received back at the master unit at time t₁having been received and re-transmitted by a tag. The genuine round-tripdelay t₁−t₀ measured at the master unit comprises the genuinetime-of-flight to the tag and back again, and the delay inherent in thetag. FIG. 1 c) illustrates the signal 20 which might be received at timet₂ when the system is under attack. The attacker has inserted an extradelay δ=t₂−t₁ so that the total round-trip time exceeds one code periodt_(p). The master unit cannot tell the difference between the signal 20received at time t₂ and a hypothetical signal 30 received at t₂−t_(p)and measures the round-trip delay as Δ=t₂−t_(p)−t₀, which is muchshorter than the genuine round-trip delay. Consequently the tag appearsto be much closer to the master unit than it actually is. The attackermay make the apparent distance take any desired value by appropriateselection of the additional delay δ.

The attack by insertion of additional delay may be implemented bytampering with the tag, or may be implemented as a relay attack. In arelay attack, the attacker uses an intermediate device to relay signalsfrom the tag to the master unit, and also from the master unit to thetag if required. By inserting, at the intermediate device, anappropriate delay into the signal, a distant tag may appear to be closeto the master unit. Such a relay attack has been used by car thieves todeceive a car security system into unlocking the car doors when theowner with a passive keyfob is distant from his car.

The ambiguity problem could be avoided if a long code is used and notrepeated during the signal transmission, but such long codes result in arelatively complex receiver.

An object of the invention is to improve the robustness of distancemeasurement against attack.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof determining a distance between a first device and a second device,comprising, at the first device, transmitting a signal comprisingsimultaneous first and second components, wherein the first componentcomprises a repeated first code and the second component comprises arepeated second code and the first and second codes are of unequalduration, and at the second device: receiving the signal; detecting thefirst and second codes; determining from the detected first and secondcodes respective first and second indications of the distance; comparingthe first and second indications of the distance; and generating a thirdindication of the distance in response to the first and secondindications of the distance being equal within a predeterminedtolerance.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a systemfor determining distance comprising a first device having means fortransmitting a signal comprising simultaneous first and secondcomponents, wherein the first component comprises a repeated first codeand the second component comprises a repeated second code and the firstand second codes are of unequal duration, and a second device havingmeans for receiving the signal, means for detecting the first and secondcodes, means for determining from the detected first and second codesrespective first and second indications of the distance, means forcomparing the first and second indications of the distance, and meansfor generating a third indication of the distance in response to thefirst and second indications of the distance being equal within apredetermined tolerance.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a devicefor determining distance, comprising means for receiving a signalcomprising simultaneous first and second components, wherein the firstcomponent comprises a repeated first code and the second componentcomprises a repeated second code and the first and second codes are ofunequal duration, means for detecting the first and second codes, meansfor determining from the detected first and second codes respectivefirst and second indications of the propagation distance of the signal,means for comparing the first and second indications of the propagationdistance, and means for generating a third indication of the propagationdistance in response to the first and second indications of thepropagation distance being equal within a predetermined tolerance.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a devicesuitable for use in use in a system for measuring distance, comprisingmeans for generating and transmitting a signal comprising simultaneousfirst and second components, wherein the first component comprises arepeated first code and the second component comprises a repeated secondcode and the first and second codes are of unequal duration.

By using a signal comprising simultaneous codes having differentdurations, it becomes more difficult for an attacker to detect thesignal. Therefore the system is more robust against attack.

By using a signal comprising simultaneous codes having differentdurations, performing separate distance measurements using each code,and requiring each measurement to yield the same or a similar result, itbecomes more difficult for an attacker to implement an additional delaywhich will deceive the system. Therefore robustness is further improved.

In general, when using a signal comprising simultaneous, repeated codeshaving different durations, the additional delay which should beintroduced by an attacker to successfully deceive the system is a commonmultiple of the durations of the constituent codes. By selecting thecode durations such that the least common multiple (LCM) durationcorresponds to a time-of-flight, and hence distance, that can readily bediscounted as false, the system can be even more robust against attack.For example, consecutive measurements made a short time interval apartbut indicating widely differing distances may indicate an impossiblespeed of motion, and therefore indicate that the system has been subjectto attack.

Preferably, the respective durations of the first and second codes areproportional to respective numbers having a relative prime relationship.Such a relationship results in a least common multiple (LCM) durationwhich is long, thereby improving robustness against attack.

Optionally, the signal transmitted by the first device may be are-transmission of a signal received by the first device, having beentransmitted initially by the second device.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a timing diagram illustrating attack by insertion ofadditional delay,

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a system for measuring distance,

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a device for determiningdistance,

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a device for use in a system formeasuring distance,

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of adevice for use in a system for measuring distance, and

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a further alternative embodimentof a device for use in a system for measuring distance.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a system for measuring distancecomprising a first device 100 and a second device 200. The first device100 could be, for example, a tag attached to a parcel, and the seconddevice 200 could be a master unit for tracking parcels. As a furtherexample, the first device 100 could be a keyfob and the second device200 could be a vehicle security unit. In operation a signal istransmitted from the second device 200, is received by the first device100 and is re-transmitted back to the second device 200 on a differentfrequency where it is received and processed to determine the distancebetween the first device 100 and the second device 200.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic block diagram of thesecond device 200. There is a first code generator 210 comprising afirst linear feedback shift register for generating a first code and asecond code generator 215 comprising a second linear feedback shiftregister for generating a second code. The first and second codescomprise a different number of chips, denoted respectively N_(1 and N)₂, but a common chip rate, which results in the first and second codeshaving different durations. Alternatively, the first and second codescan comprise a common number of chips but different chip rates, denotedrespectively C₁ and C₂, which also results in the first and second codeshaving different durations.

In operation, the first code generator 210 generates a first signalcomponent comprising the first code repeated identically, and the secondcode generator 215 generates simultaneously a second signal componentcomprising the second code repeated identically. The first and secondcode generators 210, 215 are coupled to a clock 218 for controlling thetime of generation and the rate of generation of the first and secondcodes.

An output from each of the first and second code generators 210, 215 iscoupled to respective inputs of a summing means 220 for summing thefirst and second signal components, and an output from the summing means220 is coupled to an input of a transmitter 230 for transmitting asignal comprising a carrier modulated with the first and second signalcomponents. An output of the transmitter 230 is coupled to an antenna250 by means of a circulator 240.

The antenna 250 is coupled via the circulator 240 to an input of areceiver 260 for receiving the transmitted signal after it has beenreceived and re-transmitted by the first device 100. An output of thereceiver 260 is coupled to an input of a first code detector 270 fordetecting the first code and to an input of a second code detector 275for detecting the second code. The first and second code detectors 270,275 are adapted to correlate the received signal with stored referencecopies of respectively the first and second codes, and to measure thetime-of-flight of each of the detected first and second codes. The firstand second code detectors 270, 275 are coupled to the clock 218 whichprovides them with a timing reference to enable time-of-flight to bedetermined.

An output from each of the first and second code detectors 270, 275 iscoupled to a comparison means 280 for comparing the respectivetime-of-flight measurements made by the first and second code detectors270, 275. If the two time-of-flight measurements are equal within apredetermined tolerance, the comparison means 280 converts thetime-of-flight into a distance value and delivers the distance value ona first output 281 to an application processor 290 for furtherprocessing dependent on the specific application. For example, if theapplication is a vehicle security system, the application processor 290may be adapted to unlock a vehicle door if the distance value is below apredetermined threshold value, indicating that the owner with the keyfobis close to the vehicle. As another example, if the application is aparcel tracking system, the application processor 290 may initiate analarm if the distance value is above a predetermined threshold value,indicating that a parcel carrying the first device 100 is being movedwithout authorisation.

If the two time-of-flight measurements are not equal within thepredetermined tolerance, the comparison means 280 issues an indicationto the application processor 290 on a second output 282 that the systemfor measuring distance is under attack. The manner in which thisindication is processed by the application processor 290 is dependent onthe specific application and the indication could be, for example,simply ignored.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic block diagram of thefirst device 100. There is a receiver 160 coupled to receive a signalfrom an antenna 150 via a circulator 140. An output of the receiver iscoupled to an input of a transmitter 130, and the transmitter 130 iscoupled to the antenna 150 via the circulator 140 to re-transmit thereceived signal on a different frequency.

In a preferred embodiment, the code lengths N₁ and N₂ have a relativeprime relationship. Such a relationship may be implemented, for example,by using in the first code generator 210 a linear feed-back shiftregister having M stages arranged to generate a maximal length codehaving length N₁=2^(M)−1 chips, and using in the second code generator215 a linear feed-back shift register having M+1 stages arranged togenerate a maximal length code having length N₂=2^((M+1))−1 chips.Alternatively, the code chip rates C₁ and C₂ may have a relative primerelationship.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of the first device 100retransmitting the signal received from the second device 200, thesignal may be generated and transmitted by the first device 100. Anembodiment of such a first device 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5 andcomprises the following elements equivalent to the indicated elementsdescribed above in relation to the second device; first and second codegenerators 310, 315 (as 210, 215), clock 318 (as 218), summing means 320(as 220), transmitter 330 (as 230), and antenna 350 (as 250). Acorresponding embodiment of the second device 200 is as described abovewith reference to FIG. 3, but with the first and second code generators210, 215, the summing means 220, and the transmitter 230 omitted.Alternative, known means of synchronising the clocks 218 areincorporated into the first and second devices 100, 200.

Optionally, a common modulation scheme need not be used for both thefirst and second components of the signal. For example, one of thecomponents may be frequency or phase modulated onto a carrier forming aDirect Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) signal and the other component alow-bandwidth amplitude modulated carrier which occupies nulls in theDSSS spectrum.

Optionally, the signal may be generated using a quadrature modulator.Referring to FIG. 6, a first mixer 410 multiplies the first componentgenerated by the first code generator 310 by an in-phase localoscillator signal generated by a local oscillator 420 and a second mixer430 multiplies the second component generated by the second codegenerator 320 by a quadrature-phase local oscillator signal. Theresulting products are summed in the summing means 320.

Although the invention has been described in respect of a signalcomprising simultaneous first and second components, the use of morethan two simultaneous components is not excluded.

In the present specification and claims the word “a” or “an” precedingan element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of suchelements. Further, the word “comprising” does not exclude the presenceof other elements or steps than those listed.

From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will beapparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involveother features which are already known in the art of distancemeasurement and the art of signalling and which may be used instead ofor in addition to features already described herein.

1. A method of determining a distance between a first device and asecond device, comprising, at the first device, transmitting a signalcomprising simultaneous first and second components, wherein the firstcomponent comprises a repeated first code and the second componentcomprises a repeated second code and the first and second codes are ofunequal duration, and at the second device: receiving the signal;detecting the first and second codes; determining from the detectedfirst and second codes respective first and second indications of thedistance; comparing the first and second indications of the distance;and generating a third indication of the distance in response to thefirst and second indications of the distance being equal within apredetermined tolerance.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein therespective durations of the first and second codes are proportional torespective numbers having a relative prime relationship.
 3. A method asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising transmitting the signal from thesecond device and at the first device receiving the signal transmittedfrom the second device, wherein the transmitting at the first devicecomprises retransmitting the signal received from the second device. 4.A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond indications of distance is an indication of time of flight of thesignal.
 5. A system for determining distance comprising a first devicehaving means for transmitting a signal comprising simultaneous first andsecond components, wherein the first component comprises a repeatedfirst code and the second component comprises a repeated second code andthe first and second codes are of unequal duration, and a second devicehaving means for receiving the signal, means for detecting the first andsecond codes, means for determining from the detected first and secondcodes respective first and second indications of the distance, means forcomparing the first and second indications of the distance, and meansfor generating a third indication of the distance in response to thefirst and second indications of the distance being equal within apredetermined tolerance.
 6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein therespective durations of the first and second codes are proportional torespective numbers having a relative prime relationship.
 7. A system asclaimed in claim 5, the second device further comprising means forgenerating and transmitting the signal, and the first device furthercomprising means for receiving the signal transmitted by the seconddevice and wherein the means for transmitting is coupled to retransmitthe signal received from the second device.
 8. A system as claimed inclaim 5, wherein at least one of the first and second indications ofdistance is an indication of time of flight of the signal.
 9. A devicefor determining distance, comprising means for receiving a signalcomprising simultaneous first and second components, wherein the firstcomponent comprises a repeated first code and the second componentcomprises a repeated second code and the first and second codes are ofunequal duration, means for detecting the first and second codes, meansfor determining from the detected first and second codes respectivefirst and second indications of the propagation distance of the signal,means for comparing the first and second indications of the propagationdistance, and means for generating a third indication of the propagationdistance in response to the first and second indications of thepropagation distance being equal within a predetermined tolerance.
 10. Adevice as claimed in claim 9, comprising means for generating andtransmitting the signal.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 10, whereinthe respective durations of the first and second codes are proportionalto respective numbers having a relative prime relationship.
 12. A devicesuitable for use in use in a system for measuring distance, comprisingmeans for generating and transmitting a signal comprising simultaneousfirst and second components, wherein the first component comprises arepeated first code and the second component comprises a repeated secondcode and the first and second codes are of unequal duration.
 13. Adevice as claimed in claim 12, wherein the respective durations of thefirst and second codes are proportional to respective numbers having arelative prime relationship.
 14. A device as claimed in claim 12,wherein the means for generating and transmitting the signal comprisingsimultaneous first and second components further comprises means formultiplying the first component by an in-phase local oscillator signal,means for multiplying the second component by a quadrature-phase localoscillator signal, and means for summing the resulting products.